Diane Dygert and Bob Conrardy
Diane Dygert and Bob Conrardy
Lou and Rosa Ebling
Andrea and Jim Jerozal
Hamish and Lauren McDonald
Guests petting a black-footed penguin
One of the zoo’s cuddly creatures
David and Cynthia Stephenson with Sharon Lin and Kevin Chung
The Party
The Women’s Board of the Chicago Zoological Society’s annual fundraiser truly was a wild affair, as more than 600 guests descended on the Brookfield Zoo to help celebrate the institution’s 80th anniversary—and raised a staggering $1.5 million in the process.
The Scene
After an engaging cocktail hour marked by up-close encounters with exotic creatures from the zoo’s Animal Ambassador Program (think a black-footed penguin and a three-banded armadillo), guests filled the Grand Tent for a delicious three-course dinner kicked off with a teriyaki bacon-wrapped sea scallop and an animal-shaped lavosh.
The Highlights
Revelers were awed by the colorful decor—miniature hot air balloon centerpieces—that aligned perfectly with the evening’s theme, Around the Whirl in 80 Years. The belle of the ball was undoubtedly the cheetah from the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium that made a special appearance before dinner. Before dancing away to the sounds of Maggie Speaks, guests enthusiastically raised their paddles for the chance to win one of the fabulous auction lots, which included the priceless opportunity to name the zoo’s new wombat joey. –Photos by Sum Lau
Photography by:
